Skoll community and partners:
Today, we share some news about the future of the Foundation. After six years of exemplary service, Don Gips will be transitioning from his role as chief executive officer at the Skoll Foundation to CEO emeritus and senior counselor on May 31, 2025. In this new capacity, Don will continue to provide strategic counsel and support to the Foundation and our community.
We are thrilled to share that the Board of Directors has appointed Skoll’s President and Chief Operating Officer Marla Blow as the next CEO, effective June 1, 2025.
Don shared: “I am thankful to Jeff Skoll, the Board of Directors, and the entire staff of the Skoll Foundation and our network for their incredible partnership over the past six years. It has been a great honor to serve in this role and to have Marla as my partner. I could not be more confident that she will take the Skoll Foundation to new heights and will continue to champion our mission of supporting and empowering problem-solvers and changemakers around the world. As I begin this new chapter, I look forward to continuing to work closely with Jeff, Marla, the Board, and the incredible community the Skoll Foundation has built.”
Founder and Board Chair Jeff Skoll offered his gratitude and reflections:
“Don has sustained, strengthened, and elevated our work and global partnerships across sectors, guiding the Foundation through some of the most challenging moments for our community—and the world at large. I am thankful Don has agreed to stay on as an advisor and offer his valuable counsel to Marla, myself, and the Board of Directors.
Since joining the Foundation in 2021, Marla has demonstrated extensive cross-sector experience, a keen intellect and determination to advance our mission. The Board and I look forward to working closely with her as we chart the next season of the Skoll Foundation’s work.”
Marla Blow currently serves as the president and chief operating officer of the Skoll Foundation, bringing more than 25 years of experience and expertise in social impact, entrepreneurship, capital allocation, and financial services.
“I am honored to take on this important role at the Skoll Foundation at such a critical moment for its growth,” said Blow. “Social innovation and entrepreneurship have never been more essential to solving the world’s most complex and pressing problems, and the Skoll community is at the forefront of finding and accelerating solutions. I want to express my thanks to our staff for their continued dedication, Don Gips for his partnership and leadership, and Jeff Skoll and our Board of Directors for their vision and long-term commitment to our work.”
Last year, the Skoll Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary. Our work over the past quarter-century has supported more than 400 social entrepreneurs, invested over $1.2 billion worldwide, and amplified social innovation globally. Our work is possible because of this inspiring global community, and we want to express our deep and abiding gratitude for their continued partnership and support.
Looking ahead to the future, we remain as committed as ever to supporting social innovation and entrepreneurship at a global scale. Jeff Skoll has returned as Board Chair and will work closely with Marla and the Board of Directors to review and assess our progress and determine where our “invest, connect, and champion” focus can make the biggest impact in a fast-evolving world.
Jeff shared some additional reflections on the work of the Foundation:
“The Skoll Foundation was built as a platform for social entrepreneurs and other innovators. As such, we continue to work towards our ultimate goal, advancing solutions to the world’s most pressing problems and opportunities for the survival and thriving of humanity.
At this moment of transition for the Foundation, and as global threats accelerate, it is the right time to redouble our efforts and consider where and how we can make the most impact in line with our mission and purpose.
Advancing solutions requires innovation, collaboration, and a willingness to work pragmatically with leaders from all kinds of institutions such as businesses, global organizations/NGOs, governments, and other trailblazers around the globe. I’m thrilled to be once again joining our broader community at the Skoll World Forum and look forward to seeing old friends, meeting the next generation of innovators and celebrating our community of changemakers.”
We will have more to share with you in the coming weeks and months. We look forward to connecting with many of you in person at the Skoll World Forum April 1-4 at the University of Oxford, as well as many more of you online during our virtual Forum program.
